Take a look at San Juan City Hall's Freedom Shrine

Historical documents line a wall of the San Juan Capistrano City Council chamber under the national motto, "In God we trust," at City Hall's new Freedom Shrine. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER

Here's a look inside San Juan Capistrano's Freedom Shrine, unveiled last week at City Hall, featuring a collection of historical documents and the official national motto, "In God we trust," emblazoned in gold lettering in the City Council chamber.

The idea came up months ago when Jeff Peo, a member of the Capistrano Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, proposed placing the motto in the chamber. Councilman Derek Reeve supported the idea and brought it to the rest of the council. Councilman Sam Allevato proposed adding the Freedom Shrine to give the motto context.

Peo spearheaded funding for the project, which cost about $2,100. The Exchange Clubs of Irvine and South Orange County contributed replicas of 30 historical documents, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Bill of Rights. Mission San Juan Capistrano also donated documents for the display.

Most of the documents were placed in the council chamber; the rest in a hallway at City Hall, 32400 Paseo Adelanto.

Related Links

Historical documents line a wall of the San Juan Capistrano City Council chamber under the national motto, "In God we trust," at City Hall's new Freedom Shrine. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
The official national motto, "In God we trust," headlines San Juan Capistrano's Freedom Shrine in gold-colored metal letters. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
Mission San Juan Capistrano and the Exchange Clubs of Irvine and South Orange County contributed documents for San Juan Capistrano's Freedom Shrine at City Hall. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER
A replica of the Declaration of Independence is one of the documents in the new Freedom Shrine at San Juan Capistrano City Hall. JOSH FRANCIS, FOR THE REGISTER

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